You know how people are always doubting why video game streamers are so popular? The whole, “why do you want to watch someone else play a video game you can just play yourself” thing? I think the same logic can be applied to my guilty pleasure– morning routine videos and lifestyle vlogs in general. Like, why do I enjoy watching other people go through their day so much? What about it is so captivating? I don’t know the answer, but I’ll admit that I love watching morning routine videos. Here’s a screenshot of my YouTube homepage. I’m subscribed to the entire top row, but YouTube’s algorithm has figured out what I like on the bottom.
Outside of my watchlist, morning routine videos are trending across the platform. They’ve got a hold on a subset of the population for sure. As I increasingly watch these types of videos, though, I realized I was beginning to see an issue with a lot of them.
(I’m not going to link to an example of these videos, but if you are unfamiliar with what I’m talking about, I recommend searching YouTube for an example.)
So what’s my problem? It’s not that I believe having a routine is bad. Things like brushing your teeth, washing your face, and doing some toe touches or sun salutations to start things off will never be bad; those are all things that provide health benefits no matter what. I believe a problem does emerge when influencers suggest a morning routine like this:
6:00 am– wake up
6:05 am– brush teeth & skin care
6:15 am– read
6:25 am– journal
6:30 am– meditate
6:35 am– workout
7:15 am– breakfast
etc., etc.
Five minute increments of random “healthy habits” isn’t going to do anything. You’ll read two pages of your book and get nothing out of it compared to when you give yourself a half hour to really engage in your reading. Journaling for five minutes just gives you enough time to jot some words down– not actually spend time in introspection. And meditating just to do it will never be effective. You have to want to meditate without the pressure of sticking to a fast-paced morning routine. Meditation when planned out this meticulously becomes just another thing to check off your to-do list. Essentially, I believe that attempting to do everything in your morning routine makes the whole routine null and void. Picking activities to do each morning based on what your body and soul need instead of just doing things to check them off a list gives your morning routine true value.
It makes me sad that the “peak” of health and productivity is speeding through a dozen different healthy habits just to do them.
So how can we make morning routines that genuinely benefit us?
To start, let go of the regimented time-blocks. If you have to keep your meditation or reading or whatever it is to 5 minutes you cut yourself off from going deeper with that activity. And sometimes your body will need extra time reading or more time writing. Some times you’ll wake up with anxious energy and you’ll need to flow through two extra sun salutations. Each day is different, and we must greet each as such.
I recommend having a list of activities that make you feel refreshed and energized in the morning. For me, those are:
- reading
- journaling
- meditating
- doing yoga
- practicing French or Italian
- blogging
- cooking or baking my breakfast
It’s unrealistic for me to do all of these every day, so this is a list of options, not tasks. I’m someone who needs a gentle start to the day (I have a condition that makes it a little tough to transition into being up and moving sometimes) so I love starting off with light yoga and a little meditation. But sometimes my mind is racing and I can’t sit still and empty my mind, so I’ll settle in with a book or spill my thoughts out in my journal. Having the freedom and flexibility to do what serves me best on any given day is what makes my morning routine effective and helpful.
You can still have time restraints, but instead of giving yourself 5-10 minutes per each small task, give yourself 20-40 minutes (or however long!) to do what will actually benefit you that morning. You can break the time up differently every day!
This was something I did when I made my summer morning routine post earlier this year. Check that post out for an example!
This is, of course, just my own personal opinion. After watching so many morning routine videos, this was a common trend I picked up on. The important thing, as always, is doing what serves you best. For me, this is what makes the most sense.
I hope all is well and everyone is enjoying the increasing sunlight in our days!
